Press Release
Two Die in Crash on Interstate 71 in Oldham County
Oldham County Police are investigating a vehicle collision that killed two people on Interstate 71 at the 18 MM at approximately 12:40 PM this afternoon.
According to preliminary information
obtained at the scene, southbound traffic was at a standstill at the 18 mile
marker due to road repair around the 15 mile marker. A semi trailer, owned
by Dekeyser Express in Atlanta, IL, was able to stop in the traffic, as was
a semi trailer owned by Daniels Transportation in Palos Hill, IL. A red
passenger car, believed to be a late model Pontiac Grand Am, was behind the
Daniels semi. A semi behind the red passenger car owned by Star
Transportation in Chicago, IL rear ended the Daniels semi. It is unclear at
this time in the investigation if the red passenger car had already rear
ended the Daniels semi, or if the Star semi rear ended the red passenger car
and pushed it under the Daniels semi. The Daniels semi was pushed into the
rear of the Dekeyser semi. At some point the Star semi and a blue Nissan
Sentra that was traveling southbound collided. The circumstances involving
that collision are still under investigation. The Daniels semi, the red
passenger car and the Star semi all caught fire. The driver of the Star
semi was able to free him self and get out of his cab. The drivers of the
Daniels semi, the Dekeyser semi and the driver of the Nissan were not
injured. The driver of the Star semi was transported via ambulance to
Baptist Hospital Northeast in LaGrange with a non life threatening injury.
He was treated and released.
The two victims that died in the collision on Interstate 71 yesterday
afternoon have been identified as Deborah L. Shadburne, 49, of Turners
Station Kentucky, and her 10 year old son Steven Shadburne of Louisville.
Both victims were identified by dental records.
The driver of the Dekeyser semi is identified as Terry Williams, 50, of Bloomington IL. Williams was en route from New York to Mississippi with china and insulation. The driver of the Daniels semi is identified as Filiberto Bermejo, 39, of Carrollton TX. Bermejo was en route from New York to Texas with apple juice. The driver of the Star semi is identified as Robert Clem, 43, of Hartford MI. Clem’s destination is unknown at this time, and was hauling car parts. The driver of the blue Nissan is identified as Mohammad Izaddoust, 31 of LaGrange.
The southbound lanes of Interstate 71 were closed from Exit 28 in Henry County to Exit 17 in Buckner. It is anticipated that the interstate will re- open sometime this evening.
Oldham County Police are asking anyone who may have been a witness and have not spoken with police at the scene to call them at 222-1300. The collision is still under investigation.